The NFL Coach of the Year Award is among the most prestigious honors handed out each season and is announced at the annual NFL Honors ceremony. From Don Shula to Bill Belichick, the coaches recognized are among the greatest leaders the game has ever seen.
Full List of NFL Coach of the Year Winners
The NFL Coach of the Year Award has been handed out since 1957, with George Wilson of the Detroit Lions becoming the first winner in his debut season as head coach. Since then, many of the greatest head coaches in league history have earned the honor for various reasons.
The award is given to the coach who has made the most significant impact on their team during a given season, and that impact can take many forms.
While statistical success often plays a role, coaches have also won the award for remarkable turnarounds, such as transforming struggling teams into playoff contenders or completely reshaping a franchise’s direction.
Several coaches have claimed the award multiple times, and the names at the top are no surprise. Don Shula won the award a record four times during his legendary career, while Bill Belichick and Chuck Knox follow closely with three wins each.
The complete list of the NFL Coach of the Year award winners is:
- 1957 – George Wilson, Detroit Lions
- 1958 – Weeb Ewbank, Baltimore Colts
- 1959 – Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers
- 1960 – Buck Shaw, Philadelphia Eagles
- 1961 – Allie Sherman, New York Giants
- 1962 – Allie Sherman, New York Giants
- 1963 – George Halas, Chicago Bears
- 1964 – Don Shula, Baltimore Colts
- 1965 – George Halas, Chicago Bears
- 1966 – Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys
- 1967 George Allen, Los Angeles Rams, and Don Shula, Baltimore Colts (co-winners)
- 1968 – Don Shula, Baltimore Colts
- 1969 – Bud Grant, Minnesota Vikings
- 1970 – Paul Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
- 1971 – George Allen, Washington Redskins
- 1972 – Don Shula, Miami Dolphins
- 1973 – Chuck Knox, Los Angeles Rams
- 1974 – Don Coryell, St. Louis Cardinals
- 1975 – Ted Marchibroda, Baltimore Colts
- 1976 – Forrest Gregg, Cleveland Browns
- 1977 – Red Miller, Denver Broncos
- 1978 – Jack Patera, Seattle Seahawks
- 1979 – Jack Pardee, Washington Redskins
- 1980 – Chuck Knox, Buffalo Bills
- 1981 – Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers
- 1982 – Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins
- 1983 – Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins
- 1984 – Chuck Knox, Seattle Seahawks
- 1985 – Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears
- 1986 – Bill Parcells, New York Giants
- 1987 – Jim Mora, New Orleans Saints
- 1988 – Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears
- 1989 – Lindy Infante, Green Bay Packers
- 1990 – Jimmy Johnson, Dallas Cowboys
- 1991 – Wayne Fontes, Detroit Lions
- 1992 – Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1993 – Dan Reeves, New York Giants
- 1994 – Bill Parcells, New England Patriots
- 1995 – Ray Rhodes, Philadelphia Eagles
- 1996 – Dom Capers, Carolina Panthers
- 1997 – Jim Fassel, New York Giants
- 1998 – Dan Reeves, Atlanta Falcons
- 1999 – Dick Vermeil, St. Louis Rams
- 2000 – Jim Haslett, New Orleans Saints
- 2001 – Dick Jauron, Chicago Bears
- 2002 – Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2003 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
- 2004 – Marty Schottenheimer, San Diego Chargers
- 2005 – Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears
- 2006 – Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
- 2007 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
- 2008 – Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons
- 2009 – Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
- 2010 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
- 2011 – Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers
- 2012 – Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts
- 2013 – Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers
- 2014 –Â Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals
- 2015 – Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers
- 2016 – Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys
- 2017 – Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
- 2018 – Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears
- 2019 – John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
- 2020 – Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
- 2021 – Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans
- 2022 – Brian Daboll, New York Giants
- 2023 – Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
- 2024 – Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
